Candidate Survey Results

by Spencer Mason | Apr 18, 2022 | NCHE Blog

One of NCHE’s missions is to protect the rights of NC citizens to homeschool. Our homeschool laws are primarily affected by the NC General Assembly. The judicial system can also have a great affect on the freedom to homeschool. With the election coming up, it is important that we know what the candidates think about homeschooling and our homeschool law. In order to help us decide, NCHE asked candidates for the NC House of Representatives, the NC Senate, the NC Court of Appeals and the NC Supreme Court three questions related to home education. Click on the appropriate tab below to see the responses from the NC House of Representatives candidates, the NC Senate candidates or the judicial candidates.

To view a sample ballot, click here, launch the Voter Search, enter your voter information and click the “Search” button. Click your name in the search results. When the results show, scroll down to find the “YOUR SAMPLE BALLOT” heading. Under that heading, you will see a link to your sample ballot.

NC House of Representatives Candidates Survey

Responses are ordered by NC House of Representatives district numbers.

Follow this link to find out what districts you are in, Representation – North Carolina General Assembly (ncleg.gov).

NC House of Representatives District 5
Candidate: Bill Ward Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website:https://electbillward.com/

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: All parents should have the right to determine the choice and source of their children’s education.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I have found that homeschooled students are better prepared for further education, i.e. college or universities and are more prepared to enter the work force than those of our public education system. Those students that I am familiar with have outscored their peers in all standardized testing that is required under the current law.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: No, the current law is sufficient to outline the requirements for homeschooling and meets the basic requirements for establishment and operation of a homeschool.

NC House of Representatives District 6
Candidate: Kiara Johnson Political Party: Democrat
Campaign Website: https://Iamkiarajohnson.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: In my opinion school choice is awesome. I love the fact that parents get to choose other alternatives for learning environments for their children.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I support home education. There are a lot of great things that comes along with home education for our children. One of the things is that you get to provide a safe haven for your children at all times. Another great thing that comes to my mind concerning home education is that parents get to have hands on in every aspect of their children’s education because it is provided by them. I had my first experience with homeschooling during the Covid and I felt it was a great experience.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: No, I don’t think that any changes need to be made to the home school laws in North Carolina. In my opinion, the law is really simple, easy to read, understand and abide by. According to the law you must Notify the Department of Administration, Division of Non-Public Education of your intent to operate a home school, Maintain attendance and immunization records, Operate on a regular schedule, and Administer a nationally standardized test. When I read the laws my first thought was “is that it?” There’s not really a lot that comes along with homeschooling your child and it appears to be very simple to operate a home school after I read the nc homeschool laws.

NC House of Representatives District 17
Candidate: Frank Iler Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: http://ilerforhouse.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: 100% for parental and student choice. Have voted many times for charter school expansion and voucher bills.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: It should be a viable choice and supported. Some of the smartest young people I know were home schooled.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: Yes. They should be supported by vouchers to pay homeschool operators in an fair way compared to government schools.

NC House of Representatives District 17
Candidate: Eric Terashima Political Party: Democrat
Campaign Website: https://terashimafornc.com/

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Maximum school choice to include home schooling should be allowed for parents.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: Several of my friends have home schooled their children, and I will support their choice.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: People who home school their children should be granted a subsidy to assist with the cost.

NC House of Representatives District 18
Candidate: John Hinnant Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://electjohnhinnant.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I support parental choice 100% and I believe the per pupil spending should follow the student. Families that hone school should receive a tax credit equal to the funding per pupil.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: My wife and I home schooled my son for a year and half. We are big supporters of home schooling and it is evidence that we have a problem in our public school system. In New Hanover County, EOG scores for 3rd Graders in the 2020-21 academic year, 52% of all students were Not Proficient in reading. 49% were Not Proficient in Math. 81% of black students were Not Proficient in Biology. We have a crisis situation on our hands.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: We had a good experience and don’t know of any immediate needs right now. Perhaps allow home school kids to play sports at the schools they are districted to.

NC House of Representatives District 19
Candidate: Charlie Miller Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://charliemillernc.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: 100% Support. If the last year of at-home learning has taught us anything, it’s that parents have a significant interest in their children’s education. Why shouldn’t parents have a say in the education choices available to their children? Education is not one-size-fits-all. School choice is all about empowering families to seek out the learning environment that leads to the greatest success in their child’s educational performance and outcomes.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: 100% Support. I would like to support home school families through legislation that encourages choice and supports families with the resources needed to educate their children. There’s no reason why a family should be paying taxes towards a school system that their children do not attend. Home school families should be able to retain these resources for the education of their own children.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: We need to take a serious look into implementing money-follow-the-child programs, as have been implemented with great success in Kansas. This may look like a tax credit for parents that homeschool or pursue online learning programs for their students, or public funds transferred between jurisdictions of public education. Ensuring that money follows the child simply means that per-student spending moves with the student, regardless of their education outlet of choice. I also believe that home school students should have more opportunity to participate in school district athletic programs.

NC House of Representatives District 21
Candidate: Gerard Falzon Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://gerardfalzon.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: LOVE IT! It lowers cost for the state and for the family. It raised competition, service, and quality for all.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: It’s great for some and horrible for others. The COVID-19 pandemic helped to identify both camps.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: No. It seems adequate to me at this time.

NC House of Representatives District 21
Candidate: Joshua Morris Political Party: Libertarian
Campaign Website: https://www.joshmorris4nc.org

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: School choice is mandatory in todays world. We need to allow parents the final say over their children and remove the government from the equation.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I think home education is individualized. For some kids it is a great option and for other kids it doesn’t work as well.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: I would remove the requirement for attendance and immunization records as well as the requirement to operate during regular hours. Some children can accelerate very fast and others take more time. There shouldn’t be a requirement on these issues

NC House of Representatives District 24
Candidate: Kenneth Fontenot Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: HTTPS://www.fontenotforhouse.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: 100% pro school choice. I’d eventually love to see the money follow the child.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: We homeschool!!!

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: I don’t know the homeschool laws, but I will do whatever it takes to protect the parents right to educate their child the way they see fit with tax dollars.

NC House of Representatives District 26
Candidate: Donna MCDowell White Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://wew.donnawhitenc26.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I am in favor of parents being able to choose the type of school that their children attend.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I believe that home education produces very confident and mature students.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: No, I do not believe that changes need to be made. I have not seen any evidence that the home school model is not producing educated and qualified graduates of the secondary system.

NC House of Representatives District 28
Candidate: Wendy Ella May Political Party: Democratic
Campaign Website: HTTP://WWW.WENDYELLAMAY.COM

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I support the right of free choice. Proponents argue that school choice programs improve educational outcomes by expanding opportunity and access for historically disadvantaged students

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I think homeschool works for some students

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: This law really needs to be reviewed because the wording that was added by former governor Pat McCrory, and the state house and senate restrictions , I feel that homeschooling laws does not support the right of families to teach their children as they see fit. I think many get confused by the following words, School choice is a term for pre-college public education options that describes an array of programs offering students and their families voluntary alternatives to publicly provided schools, to which students are generally assigned by the location of their family residence. School vouchers are certificates of government funding. It allows a student to attend a school that is chosen by their family instead of being required to go to an assigned public school.

NC House of Representatives District 30
Candidate: Guy Meilleur Political Party: Libertarian
Campaign Website: https://www.guyfornc.org

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Parents have an absolute right and responsibility to choose the schooling that is best for the child. And the child’s feelings should be on the record. Annual testing and other minimal oversight by the state is all that should be required. The state should lift the cap On charter schools. The money should follow the student.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: See above. I have seen students thrive in a home school environment while teaching them science classes. Those families can link them selves to other homeschooling families for group activities. Some children need more socialization than others, but they all benefit from interacting with their cohort. The more that different schools and their students interact, the better it is for all.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: At first glance, the current requirements do not look too unreasonable. I don’t understand the cap on families to just two families comprising a homeschool. Why would a third family not be able to join? The rest of the requirements look reasonable to me. There seems to be a good balance between the rights of the parent and the needs of the student and keeping state control limited. But my perspective is also limited, so I’d be happy to learn more from the perspective of other parents. I have taught in homeschool groups and private and public schools. But lately I work with adult learners. As a student, transferring from Catholic school to public school (as I did in grades 4-5, 10-11) was like flunking a grade, each time. State control of education should be minimized.

NC House of Representatives District 31
Candidate: Sean Haugh Political Party: Libertarian
Campaign Website: https://seanhaugh.com/

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Parents and students should have as much school choice as possible. I am for expanding school choice in every direction.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: Home education is a choice parents should be able to make freely and without state restriction. As an educational option, home education is as legitimate as any other kind of school.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: Many changes should be made to free parents from state restrictions that serve no purpose beyond maintaining state control of education. More than two families should be free to pool their resources to provide all the academic instruction to their children as they desire. The certification requirements for teachers should be eliminated. The recordkeeping and administrative requirements should be simply limited to informing the state of the students receiving home education. Scheduling, testing, and curriculum should be entirely up to parents. Beyond amending the Homeschool Law, state education funding should be oriented towards students, not systems.

NC House of Representatives District 32
Candidate: John Franklin Sossamon Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: (11) Frank Sossamon for NC House of Representatives District 32 | Facebook

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I think it’s a parents right to chose what school or type of educational system or style is best for their child/children. So I support school choice.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I certainly think it has a place and some children that would have failed in public school excelled in home school education. There should be a realistic standard for home schooling to ensure a quality education. I support Article 39 of Chapter 115C along with Senate Bill 189 modifying the definition of homeschool in the law.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: As I understand it and from the conversations I’ve had with homeschoolers they aren’t pushing for any changes but I would be open to listening to anything that would improve what we have for the betterment of the children involved across the state.

NC House of Representatives District 36
Candidate: Kyle Ward Political Party: Libertarian
Campaign Website: http://wardfornc.org

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I believe school choice is critical to improving education outcomes in our state. I have two young boys, and school choice is one of the primary reasons I’m running. Our current system traps too many children in failing schools that are often violent. Only people with means can afford school choice. I want to extend that choice to all North Carolinians by attaching education dollars to individual students.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I support home education. Not only do I trust parents to educate their children, but I also do not recognize any right to tell them how to do it. Furthermore, if we are able to pass a school voucher program, I would fight to make sure homeschooling parents are able to use that cash to educate their children.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: I’m not an expert in this area and would be thrilled to learn more, but in general, I support drastically lowering the requirements to homeschool your children. You do not owe the state an explanation. Education is important, but so is feeding your children. We would not tolerate regular reporting on nutrition and health outcomes to the state. I trust parents.

NC House of Representatives District 37
Candidate: Erin Paré Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://Erinfornc.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I am a staunch supporter of school choice and have supported school choice legislation as a member of the NC House do Representatives.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: Home Schools have been a God-send to children, especially during COVID. Every family has the right to educate their child the way they believe is best for them. Home education has had outstanding results. We must continue to support home education.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: No.

NC House of Representatives District 41
Candidate: Bruce Forster Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://www.ForsterForHouse.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: It is a fundamental right.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: Outstanding option, especially for certain kids and/or families.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: Standardize testing should test only proficiencies in subjects such as english, math, history, etc…. Subjects that reflect preparedness for a successful career.

NC House of Representatives District 43
Candidate: Diane Wheatley Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: http://www.DianeWheatleyNC.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: In today’s educational environment, I believe giving parents choices as to how and where their children are educated is crucial to the survival of our society.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: Given proper resources and motivation, the data shows that home schooled student can be highly successful.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: Although the present regulations seem generally appropriate, I would want to do more research after having discussions with home-school families. One area I would like to consider is the limit on the number of families that can join together in a home school.

NC House of Representatives District 48
Candidate: Melissa Swarbrick Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://www.swarbrickforhouse48.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: School choice gives children the opportunity to thrive and excel in the educational setting that their parents feel is best for them. School choice also allows parents to be more involved in the curriculum.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: Like school choice, it is one option that many parents feel is best for their child. I am all for allowing parents to make that decision. Not all children can thrive in the traditional school setting.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: The requirements look pretty clear and comprehensive.

NC House of Representatives District 49
Candidate: Michael Oakes Political Party: Libertarian
Campaign Website: https://www.oakesfornc.org

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: School choice is a fundamental right for parents. Nobody on Earth cares about a child’s education more than their parents.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I believe that all education options should be available. Parents should have the right to choose education methods that work best for them.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: I believe that imposing family requirements, as well as immunization records for students, is government overreach. Homeschool law should not require these details, to allow micro-schools by trusted educators outside of the family (or families) and maintain medical privacy for children.

NC House of Representatives District 50
Candidate: Charles Lopez Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://www.lopezfornc.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I have been a long-term advocate for school choice. I have been a Charter School Board President in Florida for an at-risk school. In North Carolina, I was elected as a Board Member at a local charter school in Hillsborough, NC before we chose to home school. As a participant in public, charter, and homeschool options, I can attest that the best opportunity came from the parent having choices.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: This question hits close to home. We have been homeschooling for about 2 years now. We love our homeschool community and have seen our grow exponentially in STEM projects, music and arts, and even more so enjoying learning to read about history, politics of today, and technology. This has also allowed us to be intentional about instilling the conservative values of fiscal, spiritual, and moral attributes that make us productive and empathetic citizens of society.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: I do not believe we should add any more government regulations towards what currently exists.

NC House of Representatives District 50
Candidate: Renée Price Political Party: Democrat
Campaign Website: https://reneeprice4nc.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Parents and legal guardians should be able to choose the educational setting and format that they deem are best for their child or children.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I am fine with home education, as long as students are provided with a curriculum that aligns with the courses of study in traditional public schools. Additional topics often are taught, such as religious studies, and I am fine with that, as well.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: Improvements should be made based on student outcomes, and that data should be collected and analyzed annually.

NC House of Representatives District 54
Candidate: Walter Petty Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: HTTPS://Electpetty.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Parents should have a choice where their children attend school

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I believe that should be an option. I also believe that our schools should provide a quality education and a safe environment that encourages parents to feel comfortable with public education as an option.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: I believe the tax dollars for a home schooled child should follow that child as with any school choice.

NC House of Representatives District 55
Candidate: Mark Brody Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: http://markbrody.com/

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: It is the best thing that can happen to education. Competition makes education better.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: Home education is one of many viable options that are available to parents in determining what is the best direction for their children. I am one of the members of the GA that produced the NC Homeschool Law so I feel it is very important.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: At this time the system is working well. One of the areas of concern is the vaccination requirement. The individual parent should determine the vaccines required for their children. I also believe the home school students should have access to extra activities that are currently provided to the traditional public schools and paid for by the tax dollars of the residents of the county where the home school ( and the students are residents of that same county ) is located such as sports or extracurricular activities not part of the regular school day. Home school parents should be required to pay the same fees charged to all students participating in those activities if a fee is required to participate.

NC House of Representatives District 59
Candidate: Jon Hardister Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://jonhardister.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: School choice enriches our education system by providing families with the ability to choose the best option for their children.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: Families should retain the right to homeschool if they believe this is the best fit for their children.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: I do not have any immediate ideas for changes, but I am open to hear from families as to what, if any, adjustments should be made to state law.

NC House of Representatives District 64
Candidate: Dennis Riddell Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://www.riddell4nchouse64.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Strongly support. Parents should at least have as much choice in where their children go to school as they do when selecting an ISP.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: Strongly support. My wife (and I to a lesser extent) have homeschooled all 8 of our children K-12 and up thru some online college.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: No changes. Leave well enough alone.

NC House of Representatives District 65
Candidate: Reece Pyrtle Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://ReeceForNC.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I support school choice 100%. Parents know what is best when it comes to educating their children.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I support parents’ rights to homeschool their children. This is a critical aspect of school choice and we must fight to maintain and advance this freedom in North Carolina.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: I would like to look into policies where money follows the child, or where homeschool students can participate in sports teams of their school district. After all, the parents are paying the taxes for their child to be in school, they deserve the same benefits.

NC House of Representatives District 71
Candidate: Kanika Brown Political Party: Democrat
Campaign Website: https://www.facebook.com/kanika.brown.984

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I believe school choice is an excellent opportunity for a lot of our youth. This gives our parents and students a choice in education so they can be exposed to more opportunities, safer environments, and an increase in their social skills.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: Home education is a great opportunity for a lot of our kids. We have so much bullying and violence in our schools. It’s a challenge for a lot of our youth to learn when they are fearful for their life and their friend’s life. With home education, our youth can learn at their own pace in which they’ll see improvement in their grades, become more creative, and can volunteer for community service for organizations.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: I believe at this time, according to research, there is no need for changes and everything is going according to the state guidelines. However, if the state changes or parents raise concerns about a particular issue we must have a conversation about how we can come up with a solution to the problem.

NC House of Representatives District 73
Candidate: Brian Echevarria Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://brianechevarria.com/

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Schooling our children the way we choose is our right as parents. Above that, there is no way we should be paying for an education our children are not getting; the money must follow the student to whatever school the parent chooses. Including the cost associated with homeschooling.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: With the wide availability of high-quality curriculum that exceeds state standards, homeschooling has proven the most effective and heart protecting way to educate a child. While all family dynamics do not permit all families to homeschool, those who do should be able to without any interference from any government.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: Yes. Parents choosing to educate their children at home should NOT be expected to maintain or share attendance, immunization, or relocation with the state. As a student progresses, the transcript and testing will reflect all that needs to be known.

NC House of Representatives District 74
Candidate: Jeff Zenger Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://jeffzenger.com/

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I think everyone show have a choice

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: We homeschooled all 4 of our kids.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: No, I do not think we need any changes.

NC House of Representatives District 78
Candidate: Jeff Zenger Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://www.nealjackson4nc.org

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Education is one of the most important issues North Carolina faces. The key to a child’s success is access to quality education. I, therefore, support school choice for parents.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: As a home school parent, I fully support home education.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: No.

NC House of Representatives District 79
Candidate: Keith Kidwell Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://keithkidwell.com/

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Parents should always have the choice of where and how their children are educated.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: As a 2nd generation home school family I fully support home education.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: No. More government control is not necessary. I have personally met hundreds of home-schoolers and home-educated children and they are some of the best-educated children in the country.

NC House of Representatives District 90
Candidate: Sarah Stevens Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: Sarah Stevens (Speaker Pro Tempore) – North Carolina House Republican Caucus (nchouserepublicans.com)

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Parents should have options. It is the parent’s duty to get the best education according to their child’s needs

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: Parents have a right to educate their children. Almost all of then do it for the right reason.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: There’s always room for improvement. Why only two households? Many people have the ability to share in knowledge.

NC House of Representatives District 102
Candidate: Cynthia Clementi Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://ballotpedia.org/Cynthia_Eleanor_Clementi

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Whatever parents think is best for their children. Is the best choice.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: Fabulous!!

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: If it works for the parents it works for me.

NC House of Representatives District 103
Candidate: Bill Brawley Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://brawleyforhouse.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Strong supporter of home schooling. Have appeared a meeting of patents and have held education sessions for home school students on the NC Legislature including a mock session with the students as legislators

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: It is the exercise of parental school choice and has it’s roots in American education going back to colonial days.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: No. If the home school community is satisfied leave it alone. We already know the students perform at a higher level than LEA students

NC House of Representatives District 105
Candidate: Joshua Niday Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://electniday.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I fully support school choice. I believe a child’s educational options should not be limited to their zip code, and studies show students who are allowed to partake in school choice tend to have higher exam scores.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I think every child learns differently, and for some children, homeschooling is best. Ultimately I believe it is up to the parents. Given the increased desire of some to indoctrinate our children and oversexualize education, I see homeschooling becoming more and more relevant.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: At this time I am not aware of any immediate changes that need to be made. However, I can say that when elected, I will oppose any proposed legislation that would require parents to teach topics such as critical race theory, leftist or communist indoctrination, and/ or age-inappropriate discussions within the classroom, and I will also oppose legislation that imposes undue burdens on parents wishing to homeschool.

NC House of Representatives District 109
Candidate: Donnie Loftis Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://www.donniefornc.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Parents should have all educational options to provide their child high quality programs to receive a fully functioning education. Whether that may be through public school with options to move their child to a high performing school or through vouchers to assist in attending private, Christian, homeschool or Opportunity Scholarships. As a current member of the NC House, I voted to give Parents more educational choices including making masks optional.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: The quality of home education has improved greatly over the past ten years. And because of the one-on-one attention those students receive, the critical thinking skills has also improved as reflected through national testing. Institutions of higher learning have finally realized they were missing out on some high-quality students and now have begun to open their programs to those who completed a home education.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: Unless there are changes that have been identified by the home education network, current law is acceptable. I would be available to assisting home educators in the future if additional changes are identified.

NC House of Representatives District 114
Candidate: Everett D. Pittillo Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://www.electeverettdpittillo.com/

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I believe that parents should have a choice. I would actually like to write legislation that would have the money follow the student whether it be public education, private education, or home school. Parents that would like to spend more time with their children due to the excess of cost when homeschooling. So if the money follows the parent they will then have that choice. Covid has exposed a raw nerve and parents need the ability to make the choice they want for their children.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I believe in home education if that suits the parents. Many parents have college degrees and have the ability to further their childrens’ education themselves. I believe every parent should be able to make the choice to insure their children get the education they deserve.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: I actually think the state should support the homeschool process more. Parents should have full participation in any extra curricular activities such as sports at no cost. The legislation needs to pass a bill to have the money follow the child wherever they choose to receive their education. Legislation must also distance themselves with the immunization records. Many individuals are choosing homeschool for freedom of medical choice also (Covid has exposed this). As far as the homeschool process, I am aquainted with this having many family members and friends choosing this route for their children. The State must support the parents freedom of choice with programs and financial aide and must become involved with this freedom of choice.

NC House of Representatives District 116
Candidate: Mollie Rose Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://buncombe.nc.gop/mollie_rose

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: We need the expand school choice to end government monopoly which will improve quality of education for everyone.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: Those who choose to educate their children at home deserve a refund of taxes they have paid for public education.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: No, however I would like the opinion of families that home school regarding any needed changes.

NC House of Representatives District 117
Candidate: Jennifer Capps Balkcom Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://VoteBalkcom.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I support school choice 100%.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: If more children were homeschooled, I would not worry as much for our future.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: I believe that the current statutory requirements are appropriate and I appreciate NCHE’s position on cooperating with the law. I would always be open to entertaining changes to the law, however, should the regulations become too onerous or outmoded.

NC Senate Candidates Survey

Responses are ordered by NC Senate district numbers.

Follow this link to find out what districts you are in, Representation – North Carolina General Assembly (ncleg.gov).

NC Senate District 4
Candidate: Buck Newton Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://www.ibackbuck.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Parents have the final say and responsibility for their children’s education. School choice is essential. If parents do not have the freedom to choose what is best for their child or have no (good) options, they and their children are denied their opportunities and full potential. That is wrong.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: My view of home education is very positive. Home education is the best choice for many children and families. Parents should have choices and not be forced to turn their children’s education over to a failing public school or circumstances where values are contradicted. My wife (primarily) and I homeschooled one of our children for a period. It was of tremendous benefit to him and to us. As I stated above, parents have the final say about their children’s education.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: No, I don’t know of any reasons to change the law. When I was in the NC Senate before (2011-2016) I was a co-sponsor of SB 189, which became law 2013, and changed the definition of “homeschool”. I believe that with that change NC has one of if not the best homeschool laws in the country and homeschooling should continue to be regulated by DNPE. I would strongly oppose any efforts to further regulate homeschooling in NC as parents should have control of their children’s education and the positive results of homeschooling is undisputed.

NC Senate District 14
Candidate: Matthew Laszacs Political Party: Libertarian
Campaign Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079335191181

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Parents, not politicians, should determine what type of schooling best meets the educational needs of their individual children. For that reason, I fully support expanding school choice options in NC through initiatives such as educational savings accounts, vouchers, and scholarships. I want to give NC parents their hard earned educational tax dollars and let them determine where to spend them, whether that’s a home school, public school, or even a micro school. Fund Students, not systems.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I fully support the parental right to educate children at home and I will do everything I can to block any legislation or regulation that restricts parents’ freedom to educate their children in the manner that they see fit. The COVID pandemic exposed the inflexibility of our public education system in an extremely obvious and public manner. Home schooling showed consistency of educational outcomes where our public schools failed. I will fight hard to support home schooling parents.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: I would loosen two of the requirements and remove the two-household stipulation from the definition. First, why restrict home schooling to two households? It may be beneficial to move children between homeschools in a community for a number of reasons and this language may restrict that. Second, I see no reason for homeschooling parents to maintain immunization records. Not all parents feel that their children should receive all of the state mandated school-age immunizations and this seems to force them to even if they elect to home school. Lastly, I see no reason for homeschooled children to be forced to operate on a nine month schedule. If the kids can pass the standardized test and meet the learning requirements, it is irrelevant how long they are “in class.”

NC Senate District 16
Candidate: James Powers Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: http://JamesPowers4NC.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I am definitely for school choice.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I think home school is an excellent program, where students are taught and are receiving a quality education without the cancel culture and critical race theory. Education is the purpose of school, not gender identity nor pronouns.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: I would like to see some skills training, that would prepare those students not wanting to go to college with skills to enter the work for and become assets to our economy and not be a burden or receiving federal or state funds to survive.

NC Senate District 16
Candidate: Dee Watson Political Party: Libertarian
Campaign Website: https://electdeewatson.org/

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I am a proponent of funding students not systems. All money State, Federal and Local money should follow the child. In a homeschooling setting every student should be given a funded account where materials, curriculum, tutoring, classes etc. can be expensed. If the student does not utilize all the funds, the funds should rollover to the next year in a 529 plan. Funds that are not utilized during K-12 education should be available for collage.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I homeschooled 2 of my children for a year, and I wish that I had quit working when Covid began and homeschooled my youngest. It is difficult if both parents work (my situation), so I think it isn’t feasible for all families, but I know many fantastic homeschool families. I think it is a wonderful option for many people.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: The regulations for homeschool families in NC are very reasonable. Right now, homeschool families are required to administer a standardized test once a year. The NC EOGs not accepted for this purpose since they are not a national test. I would like to make them an option and make them available to all homeschool and private schooled families. I do NOT think they should be required, but I do think they should be a free option.

NC Senate District 17
Candidate: Mark Cavaliero Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://markcavaliero.com/

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Providing families with the opportunity to choose the school that best meets their family’s needs is the right thing to do. I’d like to see an expansion of the current opportunity scholarships so that more families can choose the option that works best for them. School choice is also good for public education as it introduces competition into the system. Charter, private, and home schools also act as innovation laboratories to try out strategies on a small scale that could later be expanded.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: Home education is another option for families that would like control over the curriculum and instruction of their children. I think home schools are a critical component of the educational system.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: I’m not aware of any changes that should be made.

NC Senate District 20
Candidate: Alvin Reed Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://alvinreed.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I have home schooled all off my children and have personal experience that it is a superior means of schooling. I am running on a platform of vouchers for all NC parents including home school parents.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: Home education allows the parents to fine tune their children’s education to specifically what makes their children the smartest. They are not just a number in a classroom.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: The law gives the parent the flexibility to run their school as they see fit. I do agree with the two requirements of attendance and yearly testing.

NC Senate District 22
Candidate: Larry Coleman Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://www.colemanforncsenate.com/

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I believe that parents should be able to choose how to educate their children.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I believe that home education is a great way to educate children if you desire and have resources available.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: No.

NC Senate District 27
Candidate: Richard (Josh) Sessoms Political Party: Republican

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I am very much for school choice which gives parents the option what school to send their children to.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: If a parent or parents chooses to home school their children then having that option is a good thing for families. I know more than a few families that went this route to help their children during tough times to ensure that their children get a sound education.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: No.

NC Senate District 30
Candidate: Steve Jarvis Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: Https://www.ElectJarvis.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: It should always be the Choice of the Parent.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: It should always be the Choice of the Parent.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: No

NC Senate District 34
Candidate: Paul Newton Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://Newton4Senate.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I am a school choice advocate.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: My wife and I homeschooled all 4 of our children through high school. I have defended home educators against attacks from the state Democratic party alleging that home educators “are not educators”. (Reference my debate with Gladys Robinson on the Senate Floor).

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: I will defeat changes being suggested in the media by Democrats. I am not aware that NCHE is advocating for any changes.

NC Senate District 36
Candidate: Eddie Settle Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: HTTPS://Settleforsenate.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I think every American should have a choice of school whether home , public , charter .

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: My children went to public education but with the environment today we would home educate.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: I believe tax dollars should follow the education with home school certification getting stronger.

NC Senate District 44
Candidate: Ted Alexander Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://Www.tedforsenate.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I am fully in favor of school choice.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I am fully in favor of home education.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: I am open to considering legislation that would assist homeschoolers in NC.

NC Senate District 46
Candidate: Billy S. Martin Political Party: Democrat

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I am a retired public educator. However, I have no problem with parents choosing to educate their children at home or wherever else they feel best suits their child’s education.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I feel if a parent feels equipped to instruct their child at home then that their choice.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: I don’t see any aspects of the laws I could disagree with.

NC Senate District 49
Candidate: John Anderson Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://www.JohnAnderson4NCSenate.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Parents know what’s best for their children and should have the power to decide which school option fits their children.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: Home education allows parents to choose the curriculum which fits their children, and at which level. A child could be in third grade math, but fifth grade English, and this flexibility allows students to grow at their own pace. Parents have told me that this school option is also about family, not just education. The home school community in North Carolina is dynamic and thriving, offering classes, sports, testing, proms, and even hybrid home schools.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: No.

NC Senate District 50
Candidate: Karen Burnette McCracken Political Party: Democrat
Campaign Website: https://twitter.com/ABB4WNC

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Each child is unique. They have unique learning styles and abilities. Where one child thrives, another may flounder. Parents have a responsibility to decide what educational option is best for their children.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: My sisters-in-law homeschool their children. Both are capable teachers with resources and supports. Home schooling works with their lifestyles, and the children do well academically and socially. In some situations, home education is the best option.

Question: Do you believe any changes need to be made to the homeschool law in NC? Explain your answer.
Answer: There is always room for improvement. I am open to advice from those directly involved in home education.

NC Judicial Candidates Survey

Responses are ordered by NC Court of Appeals seat number and NC Supreme Court seat number.

NC Court of Appeals Candidates

NC COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE SEAT 08

Candidate: Julee Tate Flood Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: http://JuleeFlood.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I believe parents have a fundamental right to control the upbringing of their children, including choosing educational options best suited for their children. School choice respects learning and social needs for each individual child. Parents are best equipped to identify which educational option best meets their child’s needs and nurtures their child’s potential.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: A mother of four now-adult sons who were homeschooled through high school, I unequivocally support education in which teaching and learning are entwined with family relationships and activities. Parental responsibility, a moral compass, educational excellence, citizenship, learning how to learn, and safety are key among countless benefits of home schooling–where home is life’s center. It was a blessing and joy to homeschool my sons; I support all who choose this path.

Question: What beliefs or ideals guide your decisions when you adjudicate a case that comes before you?
Answer: A Christian, constitutional conservative, I would adhere to an originalist, textualist judicial philosophy in adjudicating any case. Having drafted hundreds of judicial opinions for appellate jurists, my approach has not wavered: the law says what it says and means what it says and does not mean what it does not say. Adhering to stare decisis—the doctrine of honoring legal precedent—furthers predictability and stability. I apply analytical rigor in discerning nuanced distinctions. I oppose judicial activism and will not use the law to advance a political agenda; rather, I respect the separation of powers and believe the role of a judge is to follow the law. I will treat each person with dignity; for each, their case is the most important case before the Court.

NC COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE SEAT 09

Candidate: Donna Stroud Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://JudgeStroud.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: I believe parents should be free to choose the educational option that works best for their family and children. School is not one size fits all, and every parent who has more than one child knows that each child may have different needs. Parents must also consider the schools available in their area and whether those schools will provide what their children need. My own two sons, who are now ages 26 and 29, attended private Christian schools from kindergarten through high school graduation.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I have known many home-schooled children and parents who home-school. My own experience has been that these children tend to excel, and they are generally more mature and better-behaved than most children in public schools and most private schools. For example, a few months ago, a group of home-school students visited the Court of Appeals, and those children – even the very young ones – asked such excellent questions!

Question: What beliefs or ideals guide your decisions when you adjudicate a case that comes before you.
Answer: I believe each case must be considered fully, fairly, and impartially and in accord with the controlling law. Every case is important and deserves full consideration of the evidence and arguments presented. The Court of Appeals is an error-correcting court, and it does not make law. We must decide according to the law as it has been set out by the General Assembly or any controlling cases, particularly from the Supreme Court of North Carolina. Next, since judges on the Court of Appeals must write opinions explaining the decision on cases presented to the Court based on an appeal of a trial court’s judgment or order, I write opinions clearly explaining the ruling and the rationale in a way that will be helpful for the parties, lawyers, and the public.

NC COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE SEAT 10
Candidate: John M. Tyson Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://www.judgejohntyson.com/

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Children should have the opportunity to obtain the best education available to them, without regard to the source. Public schools do not have a monopoly over our children’s education. Charter, parochial. and private schools all provide alternative opportunities and choices. Parents have the primary right to the care custody and control of their children. Their goals and desires for their children’s futures must be protected. All children are entitled to a free, sound, and basic education.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: My wife and I obtained a home school license and certificate and taught 2 of our four children. I taught middle school and high school English prior to law school. Our daughter is teaching her four children in a university/home school model, where they attend class 3 days per week and study at home the other 2 days. The COVID pandemic brought into glaring focus deficiencies and curriculums previously hidden from parents and forced parents to become more involved in their children’s education.

Question: What beliefs or ideals guide your decisions when you adjudicate a case that comes before you?
Answer: My judicial philosophy is consistent with the mission & goals of North Carolina’s Judicial Branch, which requires Judges: “To protect and preserve the rights and liberties of all the people, as guaranteed by the Constitutions and laws of the United States and North Carolina, by providing a fair, independent and accessible forum for the just, timely and economical resolution of their legal affairs.”

I believe in and have put into practice judicial accountability and efficiency, which demands a life-long commitment to continuing education, training, and experience. This philosophy has developed over many years of experience, study, and practical application of the law as a practitioner. law professor, and as a trial and appellate judge.

NC COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE SEAT 11
Candidate: Michael J. Stading Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://www.michaelstading.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Drawing from personal experience as a parent over the years, my wife and I appreciate and value the school choice options available to us in North Carolina. We have experience with parochial, public & homeschool options. Currently, we choose to homeschool our children as this option has proven to be a wonderful fit for our family as it is for many North Carolina families. Of particular importance to our family is that the homeschool option has allowed us to individualize education for our kids.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: As a homeschool dad of 3 children, I believe home education is an excellent way to instruct. As a child’s most important teacher, I believe that all parents should be informed and actively engaged in the education of their children. Home education allows children to work at a pace and academic level that is appropriate for their age and developmental ability. Home education gives parents the opportunity to integrate faith and values into the education of their children & shape their worldview.

Question: What beliefs or ideals guide your decisions when you adjudicate a case that comes before you?
Answer: A judge should always take the particularized facts of a specific case and apply the appropriate law to reach a decision. My oath as a sitting judge is to support and maintain the constitutions and laws of the United States and North Carolina. Our federal and state constitutions are enshrined with our values and should be paid the appropriate deference by a court. Accordingly, my judicial philosophy is to adhere to textualism and original intent, that is to attribute the meaning of those carefully chosen words intended at the time of ratification of the constitution or statute. Additionally, I am certainly guided daily by my worldview and faith as a Christian.

NC Supreme Court Candidates

NC SUPREME COURT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE SEAT 03
Candidate: Richard Dietz Political Party: Republican
Campaign Website: https://judgedietz.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: Every child is unique and students and their parents are in the best position to know what approach ensures they can enjoy the privilege of a quality education.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: I have partnered with homeschool groups on many programs in the courts, including a “moot court” field trip program to the Court of Appeals. Justice Phil Berger, Jr. and I also created the “North Carolina Constitutional Academy,” a series of online lectures about the Bill of Rights available to students on the court website. We created the program during the pandemic but, after feedback from homeschool groups, have plans to revamp and expand it as a permanent offering going forward.

Question: What beliefs or ideals guide your decisions when you adjudicate a case that comes before you?
Answer: I am a judicial conservative with a splash of law & economics. In constitutional interpretation, I focus on the key idea that “We the People” ratified our fundamental rights. I reject the notion of judges rewriting what the people ratified as part of so-called living constitutionalism. With laws enacted by the legislature, I am a textualist and follow the language chosen by lawmakers. In areas of common law, where judicial decisions create the law, I focus on how common law can create incentives to keep us safe, encourage people to peacefully resolve disputes, and help our society prosper.

NC SUPREME COURT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE SEAT 05
Candidate: Sam J. Ervin, IV Political Party: Democrat
Campaign Website: https://judgedietz.com

Question: What is your opinion of school choice?
Answer: North Carolina laws concerning school choice are enacted by the legislature. Judges should not decide cases based upon their own policy views. If a judge were to comment upon the merits of a law that the legislature passed and a case involving that law later came before the judge, someone might think that that judge could not fairly and impartially decide that case. As a result, I generally decline to comment upon public policy issues in my campaigns for judicial office.

Question: What is your view of home education?
Answer: North Carolina laws concerning home education are enacted by the legislature. Judges should not decide cases based upon their own policy views. If a judge were to comment upon the merits of a law that the legislature passed and a case involving that law later came before the judge, someone might think that that judge could not fairly and impartially decide that case. As a result, I generally decline to comment upon public policy issues in my campaigns for judicial office.

Question: What beliefs or ideals guide your decisions when you adjudicate a case that comes before you?
Answer: Courts exist to make sure that people receive the remedies to which they are entitled, that the rights of all people are protected, and that each branch of government, including the courts, remains within proper constitutional bounds. I believe that judges should base their decisions upon the existing law and the facts and that partisan politics has no place in our courtrooms. I also believe that everyone is entitled to be fairly heard, that no one is above the law, and that all persons should be treated equally under the law. Finally, I believe that judges should remember that each case that they decide has real impact on real people and take their responsibilities very seriously for that reason. These principles have guided every decision that I have made at the Supreme Court

Rhythm and Margin

by Diane Helfrich | Apr 12, 2022 | NCHE Blog, Encouragement, Peace, Rest, Schedule, Family life

by Diane Helfrich, March 2022

A feeling of exhaustion, constant concern that you are doing the right thing, a new-found cynicism or sadness, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping, no sense of purpose or satisfaction, changes in health—these are all signs of burnout (Mayo Clinic). It’s a common problem for moms who are trying to be wives, moms, teachers, friends, and often employees. The Super Mom is a tough role, and we all handle it at times better than others. The key is recognizing when the burn is too much and taking a break. The old saying. “If Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!” (an old southern saying put into song in 1998 by Tracy Bird) is truer than we’d like to admit. Because we play such a central role in our families, our moods and life swings affect them greatly.

Let me introduce a concept of rhythm and margin: a conscious focus on a balance between working hard and playing hard—an intended cycle of change-up in activities. In physics, we learn and understand that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. It’s a universal constant that applies to our psyche as well.

Dolly Parton once said, “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” Think about it. The storm comes, followed by the calm and the beauty of the rainbow; in a way, they are opposites. Trees lose their leaves and have complete rest before the work of production during the spring, summer, and fall months, again a type of opposite. When someone pushes you, you push back. So, think about the work/play balance and how you might create some “opposite” time.

Are you refreshed when you sleep in a bit? Do you have more energy when you get outside and move? How do you feel when you get away on vacation? Have you tried mindfulness exercises? These are all the “margin” parts of the equation. The point with any of these is that you do them with a degree of intensity or focus. Make your mind and body do something very different than what you are doing with your responsibilities (the “rhythm”). Don’t change up a little. Change up a lot! But, more than that, change up with a conscious focus on how you feel in the activity as you change the tempo of life.

I think it’s very easy to passively take a nap or a walk. Next time, focus on every aspect of the nap or walk, and focus on every aspect of how you feel when it’s time to don your Super Mom cape again. Think about how every inch of your body feels against the chair or bed. Clear your mind by focusing on breathing. Or, while outside, in addition to focusing on breathing, feel the sun, hear the birds, see the sky. Think about how your body feels as you work up a sweat. I think you will find that the very act of concentrated thoughts will help you better shake off the “tired” from your day.

Do you wait for burnout to try all this? Heavens, no! Build it into your schedule. You just completed a heavy effort deep cleaning the house. Now, having planned the time, sit outside in the sun for an hour, soak up some warm rays, and feel it on your skin. Smell the air. Hear the birds and the sound of a car going by. Experience every aspect of it before you go in to prepare the next meal. Did you know you were going to have a particularly trying session of working on math Monday and Tuesday (rhythm)? Plan now to head to the park Tuesday afternoon and play (margin). Play hard and laugh. Focus on your kids’ reactions to the environment. Focus on how your body feels as you move. Focus on breathing in the fresh air. Then, focus on how you feel as you head home. Did you work hard for several hours with the kids prepping for the next speech and debate tournament and then had to do taxes in addition to all the other household chores (rhythm)? Plan ahead of time to have a couple of down days after the tournament (margin). Maybe plan a beach trip, a relaxing afternoon with a friend, or a drive in the country listening to worship music.

It’s so easy to focus on what must be done. Yet, we never have the same focus on that other space when we aren’t in our major roles. We plan the rhythm. We tend not to plan the margin. Start giving it a conscious focus and see if it changes the way you rebound. Give that hard work an equal and opposite reaction of play or relaxation.

By the way, it’s a great life skill to teach your kids. They will see you do it. You can talk with them about it. They will model what you do, whether you include intentional margin or not. Part of the luxury of homeschooling is to have a way to teach life skills and character development by example. Teaching rhythm and margin serves to help develop balance. Balance helps with emotion control. Emotional control helps keep the mood swings more manageable, whether it’s us or our kids. Putting a little rhythm and margin into your life is one of those little five percent changes you can make that yields much larger results. God created the first rhythm and margin as he created the earth and all that is in it, including humanity, in six days. At the end of each day, He took time to evaluate His work, and said, “It is good.” On the seventh day, He rested.

Diane Helfrich is a retired homeschooler of fourteen years. She and her husband David have two children that have both gone on to receive graduate and postgraduate education. Now, she serves as the NCHE Development Director and enjoys cooking, reading, and playing ukulele in her spare time.

Graduation

by Jessica Frierson | Apr 6, 2022 | Thrive! Conference, NCHE Blog, Teens, High School, Graduation

by Jessica Frierson, April 2022

Graduation season is approaching. As homeschoolers, we can begin and end our school year whenever it works best for our family, but many families choose to keep with the traditional school schedule. Whatever time of year, the culmination of your child’s high school studies is a reason to celebrate!

Along with the flexibility to tailor our educational approach to our child’s individual needs, we can also plan a celebration that fits their personality. For example, some grads want a formal ceremony while others prefer something intimate. For homeschool parents, our hard work and dedication to reach this milestone also deserve recognition.

What are some ways to honor your graduate?

Formal Graduation

Many homeschool support groups or co-ops host a graduation ceremony for their members. When my oldest son graduated, he was in a class of a dozen peers with whom he had spent the past few years going on field trips, competing at the science fair, and playing flag football at the park. A member of our group who was a professional photographer took pictures. One of the fathers gave a short talk, and each graduate read a letter of gratitude to their parents prior to receiving their diploma.

For an even more formal experience, NCHE hosts a commencement program at the conclusion of the annual Thrive! Conference held in Winston-Salem at the end of May. It is a memorable affair, complete with cap and gown, “Pomp and Circumstance” played for the entrance, and diplomas handed out by each graduate’s parents. For more information, visit our Graduate Central webpage. There, you can order diplomas and extra copies of the special graduation edition of the GREENHOUSE magazine and find a template for printing your graduation announcements.

Private Commemoration

You may find that your son or daughter would prefer to stay out of the limelight. You can honor their achievement with a private observance in your home, backyard, a local park, or your church. With your graduate’s input, keep your guest list to the size they will feel comfortable with hosting. You could ask friends and family to share memories or words of encouragement before mom or dad bestow the coveted diploma. A backyard barbeque, taco bar, or potluck dinner will keep the event festive yet relaxed.

One-on-One Recognition

Respecting and embracing the uniqueness of our children may mean that our tribute to the end of their high school years is even more personal. When one of my sons completed his coursework, I could barely get him to don a cap and gown long enough for me to snap a quick photo. For some, the occasion is anticlimactic; they are done and ready to move on to the next thing with no need or desire to make a fuss over it. A nice dinner at home or a trip to their favorite restaurant may be the appropriate setting to present their diploma to them.

If your son or daughter flees the spotlight faster than a lightning bolt, you may be left feeling a bit deflated. After all, a homeschool parent has invested considerable time and effort into reaching this point. Although they did the bookwork, you are the one who selected, purchased, planned, taught, and graded it. You have an accomplishment to celebrate as well. Watching your child walk the aisle with their tasseled mortarboard atop their head is a crowning moment you may have long-awaited. But keep this in mind: you likely embarked on this homeschool journey with a plan to create an individualized education plan that suited your child’s specific strengths, weaknesses, interests, and goals. You can complete the journey in a manner that is customized for them as well.

And as you likely had to do at times during their school days, when it comes to acknowledging their graduation, you may have to push your child a bit to have them do things they don’t want to do. Sometimes they need us to make them do something that they wouldn’t choose for themselves. Although they may not agree with us at the time, they will appreciate it later.

Celebrate!

Whatever method you choose to herald this momentous occasion, be sure that you do it in a manner that celebrates the uniqueness of your child. The same principles of flexibility, creativity, and customization that applied to your homeschool days apply to the culmination of those days. Whether you go with a large-scale ceremony or a quiet family dinner at a special restaurant, let your graduate know that you are proud of them…and give yourself a pat on the back as well. You both deserve it!

Jessica Frierson is a homeschool graduate and has been homeschooling her ten children since 2000. She serves as the secretary for NCHE, writes for GREENHOUSE, and is the lead blogger for the NCHE Blog.

Hidden Treasures Pt. 3: Less Is More

by Jessica Frierson | Mar 29, 2022 | NCHE Blog, Encouragement, Peace, Rest, Reasons to Homeschool, Family life

by Jessica Frierson, March 2022

Everyone loves a good surprise, and one of the best surprises I’ve had in life was when having less turned out to be more. This tactic is not simply a clever home decorating trick–it is one of the hidden treasures I have discovered that has enriched my life.

When I was a child, my mother had a cookbook with a very intriguing title. The More-with-Less cookbook contained “recipes and suggestions…on how to eat better and consume less of the world’s limited food resources.” Over the years, I have realized how valuable that concept was when it came to life in general. As it turns out, it is also very applicable to homeschooling.

We all have limited resources, whether it is time, finances, or our emotional energy that is being taxed. Learning to safeguard those resources and manage them carefully will lead to a more peaceful and joyous experience in our homeschool. In addition, it helps prevent burnout and the drive to compare ourselves to others.

Use What You Have in Your Hand

As a homeschool alumnus, I have seen the immense growth in homeschool resources available to families today compared to what my mother had back in the early 90s. I can vividly remember the feeling of amazement mixed with a dash of being overwhelmed by all the curriculum displayed in the vendor hall at my first state homeschool conference several years ago.

When I related the experience to my mother later, she remarked that while it is nice to have so many choices, she didn’t necessarily wish that she’d had them. She had used what she had, adapting it as she needed for each child. As a result, there was less stress to find the perfect curriculum.

And you know what else was missing back then? The Internet! We spent no hours scouring the Internet for the best deal, posting questions on a Facebook forum, or signing up for online classes. Yet, the homeschools from that period thrived and produced well-educated, resilient graduates, many of whom have gone on to homeschool a second generation of home scholars.

I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do

good as long as they live. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:12

There have been many years when my finances were very limited. It is easy in that situation to start to feel despair that I couldn’t afford to get the school books I had put on my wishlist. However, after praying and turning my needs over to the Lord, I regained a sense of peace. I felt encouraged to make the best use of what I DID have instead of focusing on what I DIDN’T have. Surprisingly, those years ended up being some of our best school days.

Find Joy where You Are

The key to those years being the best is that I learned to find joy in where I was. In my Bible study time, I discovered that Jesus offers us the priceless gift of joy. He wants us to be filled up with it!

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you,

and that your joy may be full. ~ John 15:11

We will always see more THINGS that we want or think we need. Today’s society constantly tells us that we need the new and improved version of things that we have been perfectly satisfied with. We see what someone else has or does and start to believe that we need to keep up with them. For homeschoolers, keeping up with the Jones can have more to do with music lessons and dual-enrollment classes than with swimming pools and sports cars.

Put Your Energy into People, Not Things

When we shift our focus from things that we could fill our homes (and schoolrooms) with to the people that already fill our lives, we often find that we already have all we really want. Homeschooling gives us a wonderful advantage in spending more of each day with our loved ones. We can take the time to nurture our relationships with our children, even as we are working on a math lesson or doing a science project.

For many families, choosing to homeschool means sacrificing a second income they had grown accustomed to. Substantial budget cuts resulting in drastic lifestyle changes may cause them to second guess their decision, but the dividends they gain will prove to be worth far more.

The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing

the capacity to enjoy less. ~ Socrates

Take Time to Nurture–Ourselves and Others

When the covid pandemic caused the shutdown of businesses–and life as we know it–many people faced an unexpected break from the forces that tug on our attention and time. Since we couldn’t go anywhere, families began playing games and working puzzles together. Closets were organized, gardens were dug, and the old-fashioned art of bread baking became a new trend. Although many aspects of the pandemic have not been good, the season of rest and refreshment that many families experienced were the very thing needed.

In my own life, I have been greatly impacted by the effects of covid, as I have previously written about. I have had a long recovery from the damage that covid caused to my lungs. For many weeks after I was discharged from the hospital, I was able to do little more than light activity. Our typical school routine was out of the question since talking for any length of time led to coughing fits and an asthma attack. However, this was a season of nurture for my children and me. Often we would sit outside and paint with watercolors while trying to identify the bird calls we heard. Our days were emptied of busyness, but filled with the appreciation of being together and finding delight in simple things.

Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and striving after wind.

~ Ecclesiastes 3:12

Enjoy Simplicity

Finding delight in simple things is a child’s specialty, as any parent knows who has given their child a gift in a box. Regardless of how exciting and captivating the contents were envisioned to be, it is the box from which the child often gets the most enjoyment.

Our world is filled with exquisite treasures that lay in wait for us to discover. The intricacies of a seashell, spider web, or butterfly rival the most incredible artwork or engineering feat accomplished by any human. The dance of a dragonfly over a marsh pool, the ripple of cornfields in the summer breeze, the wonder on a child’s face as the ladybug he held lifted its shell to reveal translucent wings…the beauty in these simple moments leaves a soothing balm on one’s soul. When we begin to place more value on simplicity, we see that our lives are filled with rich treasures that we had not noticed before.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is

fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

~ Psalm 16:11

Applying the principle that less is more has enriched my life in many ways. Using what I have in my hand instead of grasping for more utilizes better stewardship and is more rewarding. Finding joy in the midst of my circumstances brings gratification and fulfillment. Investing in relationships has proven to be far more profitable than tangible items. Cutting back on outside distractions in order to take time to nurture our spirits has been, ironically, very productive. We are “eating better” while consuming less of our limited resources. I can’t say that I have made a meal with a recipe from that old cookbook, but it revealed a hidden treasure that has been very valuable to my life.

Hidden Treasures Pt. 2: Siblings

by Jessica Frierson | Mar 16, 2022 | NCHE Blog, Encouragement, Parenting, Young Children, Family life

by Jessica Frierson, March 2022

There are five requirements for crystals to form: ingredients, temperature, pressure, time, and space, according to Gem Rock Auctions.

If you are the parent of more than one child, you know that all of these ingredients are present in your home. Take a road trip with those children, and you will see the temperature and pressure grow in proportion to the space decreasing and the time increasing! But take heart; all of that pressure and heat work together to produce something beautiful.

Riches you hold in your hands are inferior to treasures you store in your heart.
Matshona Dhliwayo

“The majority of gemstones are formed by metamorphism. This is when minerals are forced together under great pressure and heat…. The minerals are forced together and they metamorphose into different minerals, sometimes without melting.” This sounds like a portrayal of our last family vacation, about five hours into an eleven-hour drive.

The formation of gemstones is an apt description of sibling life. As writer Harper Lee says in To Kill a Mockingbird, “You can choose your friends but you sho’ can’t choose your family.” Brothers and sisters will live together in the same house, often sharing bedrooms, for the formative years of their lives. Their shared experiences will shape their characters and greatly impact their futures.

I thought how great it would be if we could trade in Fudge for a nice cocker spaniel. That would solve all my problems. I’d walk him and feed him and play with him. He could even sleep on the edge of my bed at night. But of course that was wishful thinking. My brother is here to stay. And there’s nothing I can do about it.
Judy Blume, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

One of the hidden treasures in life is having another person in your house who calls the same people “mom” or “dad” that you do. Although you may (or rather, will) get on each other’s nerves at times, children who grow up with a sibling likely have a built-in best friend, teammate, co-conspirator, and sounding board. While sibling rivalry can certainly get out of hand, a little friendly competition can motivate children to work harder and do their best. In speaking with parents with an only child, their child’s lack of a sibling has been one of the most challenging aspects of homeschooling.

Who has brothers or sisters and hasn’t argued like cats and dogs with them? It’s almost a prerequisite for moving through childhood! There’s hardly a sibling that doesn’t have at least one good fight story to pull out. But if the tables are turned, you know who you can count on to always have your back.For homeschooled children, there is no break from being together while each goes to their separate classroom or school campus for the day. This can result in increased tension and quarrelsome behavior. A telltale sign that it’s time for some space from each other is when “he’s looking at me” becomes grounds for war to break out in your house. Giving them opportunities to have time alone in a quiet place can help reduce the strain and strengthen their relationships with each other. It is important to take the means necessary to nurture the growth of such precious gems as you have in the making. You want them to treasure the many benefits of having their brothers and/or sisters to walk with through life.

Someone to get in trouble with

Every parent knows that feeling of sudden dread. The children are playing in their room, their shouts and laughter filling the air. Then, suddenly, you realize that it is quiet…very quiet. Too quiet! And every parent also knows that silence almost ALWAYS accompanies trouble.

When children are doing nothing, they are doing mischief.
Henry Fielding

Years down the road, your children will probably shock you with recounts of the close encounters they faced together—stories that they were sworn to secrecy over at the time they occurred. Yet, watching their faces as they relate their tales of silly pranks and near catastrophes, you will see the reflection of joy exuding from their hearts. Like diamonds enshrined in gold, shared shenanigans have a way of forming an unshakeable bond.

Someone to laugh with

If you can’t let your guard down around your brother or sister, who can you be yourself around? Children make up games at the dinner table that consist of nothing other than, “betcha I can make you laugh first!” and then simply staring at each other with a goofy expression. They can share a joke between themselves that no one else will ever understand. Growing up with such shared experiences as siblings do gives them an abundant supply of inside jokes and a treasure chest full of material for future roasting.

Sister. She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she’s the reason you wish you were an only child.
Dr. Barbara Alpert, MD

Someone to share your sorrows with

Whether it is spilling ketchup on your favorite shirt or your first heartbreak over unrequited love, your sibling is likely to have the shoulder that you cry on. Just as they know why you are laughing without any need for words, they also feel your hurts as if they were their own.

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.
Proverbs 17:17

Someone to play with

My children get so accustomed to having their siblings around that they can easily take them for granted. On the rare occasion that everyone else has gone off somewhere and they are the only one left home, they mope around like a lost puppy. Having an on-call playmate that doesn’t have to be penciled in on the calendar makes for lots of impromptu fun. Since they are on virtually the same schedule, they can be ready in an instant to join in on whatever imaginative ideas are ready to be explored.

There can be no companion better than a brother and there can be no friend better than a sister.
Anonymous

Learn how to care for and about others

Shortly after our youngest was born, his four-year-old sister wanted to hold him. She quickly informed me that his diaper needed to be changed. I jokingly told her that I’ve changed over 80,000 diapers in my life (he is the youngest of ten, plus years of babysitting), so she was going to have to do them from now on. She looked at me in disbelief but then cheerfully approached the task. Although I had been teasing her, I decided to let her do what she could. She was so cute trying to pull off his pajamas, unwrap his diaper, snap the new diaper together and fit the wool cover over it, then gently wrestle his arms back into his sleeves under my guidance.

When it was over, she looked at me so proudly and said, “I did it! I really did!” Then she smiled so contentedly and sighed, “Babies are the BEST!” I was so glad I had stumbled into creating this special moment for her. It reminded me of the many times I had helped my mother care for my younger siblings, especially my youngest brother, who was born when I was twelve. The seeds of joy from helping to care for a small child were planted in my heart and grew to shape my lifelong dream to be a wife and mother one day.

I see the same satisfaction that comes in nurturing others in my older sons as they show a younger sibling how to throw a football or take a fussy baby for a walk outside to soothe them. I know that their experiences with their siblings will help my children be more compassionate and prepare them for the day when they will be parents.

Every family is precious and powerful in its own way. For those who have the added joy of more than one child (and more mess, noise, work, and everything else that each additional person brings!), you have the chance to see the marvelous formation of some of the world’s most precious treasures. As the space, pressure, and interaction of siblings living and growing together combine over the passage of time, beautiful gems emerge to shine like jewels in your crown.

You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

Isaiah 62:3

Update on Joint Legislative Oversight Committee Meeting

by Jessica Frierson | Mar 11, 2022 | Freedom to Homeschool, Parental Rights, NCHE Blog, DNPE, Homeschool Law

by Jessica Frierson and Spencer Mason, March 2022

You have likely seen the recent WRAL news article regarding Tuesday’s Joint Oversight Committee meeting. The article has left many homeschool advocates concerned that the meeting will lead to more regulation of homeschooling in North Carolina.

As NCHE’s president, Matthew McDill, said in the WRAL story, one of our primary roles at NCHE is to protect your right to homeschool. NCHE’s legislative committee, headed by NCHE’s law and policy director, Spencer Mason, has been actively monitoring the situation. We spoke directly with several members of the joint oversight committee and consulted with other family advocacy groups. Our conclusion is that there is no cause for alarm at this time. As is often the case with news articles, many details have been left out.

Here are the facts you need to know:

The purpose of DNPE’s presence at this meeting was to give testimony demonstrating their need for increased funding.

The NC Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE) requested increased funding to carry out their duties. They specified that funds would be allocated in two ways. First, improvements to the DNPE website would make it easier for homeschool administrators to access and update their online accounts. Second, three additional employees are needed for the many tasks the office carries out. An example of tasks DNPE is required to do is mailing hundreds of Driver Eligibility Certificates (DEC) each week for homeschooled students who have completed driver’s education classes. They must have a DEC in hand when they apply for their learner’s permit.

There are many new homeschools in North Carolina!

Here are some of the statistics that DNPE presented at the meeting

Before the pandemic, the average number of Notice of Intents (NOIs) to operate a homeschool filed was ~9,000.
During academic year 2020-2021, 19,454 NOIs were filed.
Between July 1, 2021, and January 31, 2022, 12,314 NOIs were filed.

During the pandemic, private schools and charter schools showed a healthy growth, while the student population in public schools showed a marked decline. At the end of the 2020-2021 academic year, there were 112,614 open homeschools. DNPE estimated that there were about 1.6 students per homeschool for a total of 179,900 students. NCHE believes that a more realistic estimate is 2.0 students per homeschool for a total student population of 225.228. This represents about 13% of the total North Carolina K-12 student population. Since most homeschools with only students below the age of 7 do not officially open a school (the law does not require it and DNPE doesn’t allow it), these households aren’t counted by DNPE.

There is NO THREAT to homeschools at this time.

NCHE has spoken with NC senate and house members of the joint committee. They have assured us that there will be no new bills filed at this time to add regulation to NC homeschools. Furthermore, the house co-chairman of the joint committee is a homeschool father and the senate chairman is known to be a strong school-choice advocate.

As always, NCHE will remain watchful!

Following the conclusion of the session on Tuesday, NCHE checked the legislative record for all bills that were filed and found none to contain any items germane to homeschools. There will be little to no opportunity to add anything until the next session opens May 4. The legislative committee will continue to monitor the proceedings. You can count on us to be ever vigilant and to keep you informed as the situation unfolds.

What can you do?

Be sure that your information is updated at least annually with DNPE and that you follow the basic requirements that homeschoolers have in our state. Encourage others, especially new homeschool families, to do the same. Being good stewards of the current laws will help show lawmakers that further regulation is unnecessary.

For example, when a homeschool no longer has students or when they move, they are required by law to notify DNPE. Unfortunately, many homeschoolers are ignorant of the law, forget to do it, or don’t care. In the August-September 2021 time frame, DNPE mailed approximately 25,000 postcards to homeschools open at least 11 years. More than 17,000 cards came back as undeliverable. By October 2021 DNPE had attempted to email and call those 17,000 homeschools. Ultimately, 21,000 homeschools were removed from the active database.

Stay tuned to NCHE to ensure that you are always up to date on the facts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and MeWe. Watch The Homeschool Show on Youtube or listen on your favorite podcast provider. You can also subscribe to our weekly email, which will include any legislative alerts that may come up.

Join or donate to NCHE! Your donations enable us to travel to Raleigh to meet with legislators, maintain our website, and produce the content that you can count on for all of your homeschool needs.

Spencer Mason is the law and policy director and office manager for NCHE. He and his wife, Debbie, homeschooled their four children from birth through high school. Their five grandchildren are now being homeschooled.

Hidden Treasures Pt. 1: Learning from the Elderly in our Lives

by Jessica Frierson | Mar 8, 2022 | High School, NCHE Blog, Parenting, Teens, Culture, Discipleship, Young Children, Middle School, History, Family life, Grandparents

by Jessica Frierson, March 2022

The house was burning down around them, and six-year-old Emery couldn’t get two-year-old Hazel to put her spoon down so he could get her out of her highchair and escape the flames.

That is the incredible story my children’s grandfather told about the day his parents left their six children home alone while they walked into town in the rural Georgia area where he grew up. The parents returned to find the house reduced to a smoking heap of ashes, but thankfully, all six children—one still clutching her spoon—survived. The firewagon ran out of water before they were able to put the fire out, and the closest river was too far to go to refill it. The family had to leave their farm and live with relatives in the big city of Augusta.

The human heart has hidden treasures, in secret kept, in silence sealed.

Charlotte Bronte

There are many overlooked treasures in our lives. The elderly in our community offer a rich source of history, life lessons, friendship, and perspective that our children need. Making this a priority in our homeschools will yield a lifelong store of lasting memories that will enhance their lives more than any fortune they could inherit.

Our present society is too often segregated by age, and fewer families live in an intergenerational setting as they did years ago. If we are not intentional about carving out opportunities to just sit and talk with the elders in our families and neighborhoods, we run the risk of missing out on this great wealth.

Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father,

and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you.

Deut. 32:7

The best place to go for a history lesson is a first-hand account of it. We are fast losing the generation that stormed the beaches of Normandy, bravely fought the menace of communism in Korea, or crawled through the jungles of Vietnam and then returned to face angry protests instead of praise for their bravery. What lessons did they learn from these experiences? What riches can our children mine from the trials their ancestors lived through?

Within our family, we have a cousin who was among the evacuation of American citizens who were airlifted just before the North Vietnamese army took over Saigon. There’s a great-great grandmother who was the first telephone operator in Forest City, NC, and a many-great grandfather who was a famous Methodist circuit-rider traveling from one prairie town to another as the American pioneers spread west. A grandmother was a student in the first integrated class in her southern town while another grandmother’s family owned a lunch counter in the deep south where she had a front row seat at the famous sit-ins.

Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.

Job 12:12

My mother’s family has lived in Rutherford County in western North Carolina since before the Revolutionary War. Family history retells the story of a many-great grandmother who fought off an Indian attack on her farm while the men were off fighting the British. These and other stories bring history and geography alive for our children, as well as give them food for thought as they listen to regrets that things happened as they did or are encouraged to persevere through hard times they will encounter one day.

Hearing the stories of yesterday broadens children’s perspective on life. The uncle who is a lawyer for the FDA was once a little boy who gave his sister a black eye when he threw a shoe at her. The great-uncle who burps loudly and tells bad jokes broke his back—twice!—parachuting out of an airplane behind enemy lines. The cousin who pastors a tiny country church grew up on the mission fields of Ghana, West Africa, and Japan. The old man who stumbles over words and forgets what he is telling you was once a talented artist whose works were showcased at Notre Dame and designed a national ad campaign that is still in use forty years later.

Young men and maidens together, old men and children!

Let them praise the name of the Lord

Psalm 148:12

Sharing the stories passed down from generation to generation gives us a chance to recall the work of God in our families. My husband’s family first came to America from Ireland in 1732, settled in Charleston, SC, and fought in the Revolutionary War with Francis “Swamp Fox” Marion. They were part of a Presbyterian settlement in the new colonies. Historical records indicate that their ancestors fled to Ireland during the Protestant Reformation. Many ministers and missionaries have descended from these men of faith, including my father-in-law and my husband. His grandmother was honored by the Salvation Army for having six children serving as ministers.

Knowing this information about their ancestors makes history personal for my children. It makes an impression on a child’s heart when they can ask, “Nana, what was it like when…?” and see history through the eyes of a family member. Listening to the retelling of their life inspires our children to stay the course in their own walk with God. Hearing the testimony of the venerable woman who is so precious to them makes the words of Philippians 1:6 more relevant to them: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,

and the glory of children is their fathers.

Proverbs 17:6

One of the most valuable gifts we can give our children is to teach them to cherish the elderly around them. Sitting on the front porch listening to the recollections of their youth, seeking their advice on how to find (and nurture) true love, walking the trail with them at the park as they lead us down the path of their walk with God will be irreplaceable moments one day. Seize those moments before they are gone! I began making a little booklet where I would jot down stories that would unexpectedly spill out during our visits with some of our family members. My older sons would interview their grandparents, asking about childhood memories and what life was like when they were growing up. My children love to read over the notes we made, especially from those who are no longer with us.

One day on a spur of the moment decision, we bounced over the rutted roads in backcountry Georgia to find a relative that my husband had not seen since childhood. Surprisingly, we not only located her house, but she was thrilled to see us and give us a little tour of the old family homestead. Walking around the pond brought back memories for my husband of spending the summer there as a boy. Later, we made the sad journey to a nearby family burial plot where his father’s infant siblings had been laid to rest shortly after their births. His father shared the sorrow he felt as a young child watching the wagon carry the tiny coffins away. It gave my children a new perspective of their grandfather and endeared him to them even more. Sharing the pain, as well as the joys, of the elderly around them helps our children to understand that life brings times of both sunshine and rain; we must allow both to do their work in us. A momentary glimpse into the depths of another’s heart can impress upon them the value of things they may otherwise take for granted.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:21

Family is not the only source to find these hidden treasures. Our children have been very blessed by relationships they have formed with neighbors and church members. Whether assisting these friends with yardwork or sitting down for a meal with them, they listen to their stories and, for a few minutes, step through a doorway back in time. Tales of fighting Germans in WWII or getting caught sneaking out of school to go to the movies told by a man or woman who are now wrinkled and gray-haired teaches my children to look beyond the appearance of a person. They learn that beneath the aged facade lives someone who thinks, loves, hurts, hopes, fears just like they do.

American novelist Richard Bach said, “Study a lifetime and you will see different colors from the same jewel.” Helping our children build and nurture relationships with those around them gives them an opportunity to uncover many jewels that may never be revealed otherwise. Doing so offers them a vast treasure trove of friendship and insight and a valuable frame of reference for life. It helps them develop compassion for others and teaches them to value people over “things.” They will mine a great wealth from the time spent enjoying the beauty of these gems that have been formed by the pressures of a life well-lived.

DNPE’s Virtual Record Review Meetings

by Spencer Mason | Mar 2, 2022 | NCHE Blog, DNPE, Homeschool Law

by Spencer Mason, March 2022

The North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE) has begun emailing every homeschool that has operated for more than two years stating that a DNPE representative will be conducting virtual record review meetings. The email says, “DNPE encourages you to participate as the NC Statutes governing non-public schools (Chapter 115C Article 39; § 115C 547 – 567) require all non-public schools to make available their records upon request. An invitation to attend a record review meeting is such a request….” Administrators are asked to follow a link and make an appointment for this virtual inspection.

This statement by the DNPE implies that participation is required by law. However, the law says, “all records shall be made available, subject to G.S. 115C-174.13, at the principal office of such school, at all reasonable times, for annual inspection….” NCHE has always understood the law to mean that any inspection of records other than inspections that take place at the homeschool are voluntary on the part of the homeschool chief administrator. Therefore, NCHE believes this request is not mandated by North Carolina statute.

Even though NCHE differs from DNPE in that we believe this is not mandatory, we highly recommend that you voluntarily make an appointment for a virtual inspection for the following reasons.

Many homeschools have failed to follow the law in that they have moved or quit homeschooling without notifying DNPE. Therefore, DNPE records are inaccurate, and some legislators are pressuring DNPE to improve the accuracy of the data.
Federal education funding is parceled out to each NC county based on the total number of students (public, private, and homeschool) enrolled in that county. Special needs homeschool students can take advantage of programs that are supported with federal funding.
A successful implementation of this program will give DNPE greater credibility and will reduce the likelihood that lawmakers will attempt to add more regulations to homeschools.

If you are uncomfortable with participating in the virtual meetings, you will be given the option of emailing the requested information to DNPE. Another option DNPE may not publicize is to log into your account with DNPE and update your school records, then notify them of your update via email. NCHE is not aware of any homeschool that has been closed when a homeschool administrator declines to participate in an inspection of records virtually, via email or any other way.

NCHE: Here for You When You Need It

by Jessica Frierson | Feb 22, 2022 | NCHE Blog, NCHE Membership, Testing

by guest blogger Sarah Hicks, February 2022

This morning I went online to order our family’s annual standardized tests. They were not available. When I called the company, the kind associate confirmed that the test we have used since our first year of homeschool really is no longer available. My heart sank. I considered calling my homeschool mentor, but I wasn’t sure if she would be up-to-date with this change since all of her kids have graduated. I considered asking my homeschool support group, but I don’t really have time for hearsay. I needed to know the laws and what my choices were; I needed information that was trustworthy, current, and convenient. That’s why I turned to NCHE.

When I visited the NCHE website, I easily found the Helps tab and scrolled down to find Testing and Testing Services. I read the laws and found the accepted tests for our state. Then I was able to search for those tests online. I recognized one of the providers from an advertisement in GREENHOUSE magazine, and that gave me confidence that I could trust them. Because of NCHE, I quickly and efficiently found everything I needed in less than 5 minutes. This gave me great relief!

My takeaway is this challenge:

Become an NCHE member. The work that NCHE does on behalf of home educators is invaluable. They protect our homeschool freedoms. They equip us with homeschool information, and they help us stay connected with one another. No other organization in North Carolina provides this much for home educators. Your membership makes this possible.
Tell others about NCHE. It’s that simple. When you’re out and about, and you are conversing with others, tell them about NCHE’s work. Whether they are homeschooling or not, you promote a positive image of home education when you tell people how informed, how organized, and how caring homeschool parents are. If you feel less confident sharing, you can ask NCHE to send a regional liaison to come and speak or set up a table at your next event.
Support the NCHE mission. I’m not a salesperson, but I’m just going to lay it out there: home educators need to donate their time, their talent, and their treasure to NCHE so that we can preserve the freedoms we cherish. Make a donation, volunteer your time to serve at the Thrive! Conference, or contribute your comments on NCHE online Facebook support groups.

Today, NCHE lived up to their promise to help me “homeschool with confidence and joy”﹣just as they have been doing since 1984, and just like they will continue to do with your help.

Our guest blogger Sarah Hicks is an NCHE member from region 5. She previously served as NCHE’s media manager and editor of the GREENHOUSE magazine. She hopes you are able to attend the Thrive! Conference.

Spring Preview

by Jessica Frierson | Feb 15, 2022 | Young Children, Nature, Science, Middle School, Schedule, Reasons to Homeschool, NCHE Blog

by Jessica Frierson, February 2022

Last week gave us a spring preview here in the Catawba Valley area. Birds were singing the praises of the nest they had begun constructing under our eaves. The sun was shining brightly in every window, enticing us to come out to play. Crocuses, daffodils, and hyacinths were poking their sleepy heads out of the ground, asking if it’s time to wake up from their winter nap. Of course, the children wanted to spend every minute they could outside. Who wants to write vocabulary sentences or learn about dividing with decimals when the world is appealing to their hearts to come explore? And we all know that falling on the heels of spring preview is a return to the cold drudge of winter. What’s a homeschool mom to do?

This particular homeschool mom has several tactics that have been tried over the years.

Experiment 1: You can fight it—be a stickler and keep everyone at the school table until all pre-assigned work is done.

Observations: No one really learned much of anything, everyone felt the frustration, and a world of learning opportunities passed by untouched.

Conclusion = FAIL.

Experiment 2: A compromise—send everyone out to their hammocks with an armful of books. At least some schoolwork will get done, and they still get to enjoy the warm air.

Observations: Everyone enjoyed swinging in their hammocks, maybe a bit too much! It took much longer to get lessons completed, and math was a total loss. Some books were accidentally left outside overnight and got water damage when it rained. Truthfully, hammocks are the second most common place to do schoolwork here anyway, so it wasn’t as much of a compromise as I had intended. They still longed to leave the bookwork to run through the cool grass in their bare feet, dig into the thawed ground, splash in the puddles remaining along the driveway, and identify every birdsong that hit their ears.

Conclusion = MIXED RESULTS

Experiment 3: Open the doors, maybe the windows too – and let the children explore! The books can wait for winter’s inevitable return.

Observations: As I followed them along a path of discovery, the unbridled children learned much more than they would have inside at the table, squirming to get outside. First, they asked for help determining what type of bugs had amassed at the left side of the chimney. (Boxelder bugs swarm as they seek south/southwest facing areas to overwinter.) This led to an analysis of which direction the left side of the chimney is facing. Surprise—it is southwest!

We talked about why some plants in the flower beds remain green, others are dead and brittle, and others have mysteriously appeared peeking through the mulch where they had been long forgotten. This led to researching what kind of care various plants need at various times of the year, which plants grow from bulbs and how to force them, stating a hypothesis on what will bloom from each bulb, and a work party organized to trim back the hostas, ornamental grasses, and dead flowering plants to prepare the bed for spring growth. One child asked if she could harvest the seeds from the brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba), which reminded us of why we use Latin for scientific names.

We made plans to talk later about seed preservation and germination. We noted what plants grew well in their locations and which one got a little leggy as it struggled to reach the sunlight it needed. We marveled at the amazing power of a tiny, seemingly weak strand of a trailing ground cover plant whose tentacles had completely destroyed our garden ledge as it pushed its way through the mortar. Tonight, we will pore over the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed catalog to plan some new additions to our yard. The children have learned today to carefully select shade-lovers for the bed under the front awning, some that thrive in full sun to accompany the Rudbeckia, and a non-trailing morning sun lover for the east beds.

Conclusion = WIN, WIN

Winter weather will soon return with a vengeance, and we will return to our workbooks, maps, and reading materials. As the winds rattle the naked branches on the trees outside, we will snuggle together on the sofa to read The Long Winter, shivering with empathy as the Ingalls family twists wheat stalks into bundles for their stove. We love the short breaks of sunshine and warmth but appreciate the coziness of studying in a warm house with a hot cup of tea while the rain pounds on the roof overhead.

To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

All photos by Jessica Frierson

« Older Entries

Next Entries »

NC House of Representatives Candidates Survey

NC Senate Candidates Survey

NC Judicial Candidates Survey

NC Court of Appeals Candidates

NC Supreme Court Candidates

Formal Graduation

Private Commemoration

One-on-One Recognition

Celebrate!

Use What You Have in Your Hand

I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do

good as long as they live. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:12

Find Joy where You Are

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you,

and that your joy may be full. ~ John 15:11

Put Your Energy into People, Not Things

The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing

the capacity to enjoy less. ~ Socrates

Take Time to Nurture–Ourselves and Others

Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and striving after wind.

~ Ecclesiastes 3:12

Enjoy Simplicity

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is

fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

~ Psalm 16:11

Here are the facts you need to know:

The purpose of DNPE’s presence at this meeting was to give testimony demonstrating their need for increased funding.

There are many new homeschools in North Carolina!

There is NO THREAT to homeschools at this time.

As always, NCHE will remain watchful!

What can you do?

The human heart has hidden treasures, in secret kept, in silence sealed.

Charlotte Bronte

Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father,

and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you.

Deut. 32:7

Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.

Job 12:12

Young men and maidens together, old men and children!

Let them praise the name of the Lord

Psalm 148:12

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,

and the glory of children is their fathers.

Proverbs 17:6

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:21

Blog Categories